CMB 025 : Understanding Copyrights With Susan Fontaine Godwin

If you're like me, then you've been stressed out a time or two over the administrative side of songwriting, music making, and...

...copyright compliance.

Perhaps you've wondered about how to get permission to do an amazing cover for YouTube, or even a desire to release some cover songs and not worry about digital distribution.

If you're a worship leader who writes songs for your church, and even a handful of other churches are doing your songs, you've probably had the thought of getting those songs registered with CCLI.

Copyrights, licensing, and publishing, can be incredibly complicated this day and age, and it's more important than ever to do things right.

In session 25 of the podcast, I share with you an interview I had with Susan Fontaine Godwin, founder and CEO of Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS).

CCS is an amazing company and online service helping churches and artists everywhere. Understanding copyright is a very important piece of the puzzle - especially if you're an artist looking to build a small business as an indie musician.

Here are a few highlights...

Susan's work with Integrity Communications in 1984

The Hosanna Music Explosion and Susan's involvement in publishing

Started Righteous Oaks Music in 1996

Rick Muchow and Saddleback Church, and the launch of CCS

PRO = Performing Rights Organization (Ascap, BMI, SESAC, etc...)

The difference between CCS and CCLI

The WORSHIPcast license and PERFORMmusic license

INDIEadmin

Steps for protecting and publishing your songs

Stewardship for creative people

Don't wait for a publisher to come to you

Ownership breakdown of a song

Letter of agreement between writers in a co-write

Some examples of the different kinds of publishing agreements

Truth about the US Copyright Office

Basic Steps for Publishing Fact Sheet

CCS is a different publishing admin model

Getting ready for YouTube

Getting licensing for covers

The reason CCS exists

Serving music entrepreneurs

Being clear in your calling and vocation

Being surrounded by other believers

Important Links for CCS

Their main website

IndieAdmin

helpful fact sheets

CCS's easy song registering service

CCS on Twitter

CCS on Facebook

CCS on LinkedIn

Toll free: +1 (855) 576-5837

Other important links you should know

Susan's personal twitter

http://www.copyright.gov/

Join ASCAP here

Join BMI here

The post on doing covers songs I mentioned